Minister ‘proud’ as Budget goes to print
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has watched his first Budget go to print and says he hopes New Zealanders see ‘‘we’ve got the balance about right’’ when it is delivered tomorrow.
Robertson headed to Petone yesterday to watch the Budget roll off the printing press – the colour theme this year is red, instead of the National Party blue we’ve seen over the past decade.
‘‘It’s a really interesting process putting a Budget together and it’s not my own blood, sweat and tears.
‘‘It’s the work of ministers, of the many, many officials and Treasury, who does a sterling job of getting us to this point,’’ he said.
Budget Day is one Robertson is looking forward to, saying it’s about laying out a plan for how the Government will do things over the next few years.
The Government has been lowering the public’s expectations of tomorrow over the past few weeks by advising that bigger deficits than expected had been found in crucial spending areas such as health and education.
Robertson said he and his colleagues had been ‘‘honest about the situation we’re in and have made New Zealanders aware of what our priorities are’’.
He didn’t expect there to be a whole lot of surprises as the coalition had been clear about the fact that health, education and housing were the focus for this Budget and laying the ground- work and foundations ahead of a switch to a ‘‘wellbeing Budget’’ next year.
‘‘Most New Zealanders would be able to think of a service in their community – whether it’s the local hospital, local school or local roads – where there hasn’t been enough investment.
‘‘What we’re doing is taking the first steps to set that right. We’ve been clear with people it will take time.’’
Asked how he felt about delivering the Budget, Robertson said he was ‘‘excited’’ and it was a ‘‘huge opportunity to show New Zealanders what our plan is’’.
The obvious question ahead of the big day is always what tie the finance minister will wear and whether a haircut is on the cards.
Robertson said friends had gifted several ties to him so he was tossing up whether to wear one of those or pick one from his own ‘‘extensive collection’’.
As for the haircut, he had one just over a week ago because ‘‘I didn’t want that kind of really new cut look’’, he joked.
What the minister eats on Budget Day is also a big factor in whether the event is successful or not.
Former Finance Minister Bill English was notorious for munching down on a pie as part of his Budget Day tradition.
‘‘Unfortunately, for me,’’ Robertson said, ‘‘a pie is not that unusual so I may need to look for a different snack.’’
As for the contents of this year’s Budget, he said he was ‘‘proud’’ of it and ‘‘looking forward’’ to perfecting his speech tomorrow.